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MARC history timeline

I’m working on a handful of projects about the history of MARC, and one of the things that would be really useful to me is a good, concise history of the family of MARC formats. I haven’t been able to find quite what I’m looking for, so I decided to make it!

The timeline below is my first, very imperfect attempt at mapping out the big markers in the history of MARC. A couple of caveats: it is very much the result of my interests and my knowledge (other people would likely highlight other milestones); it is very US-centric (given my familiarity with and interest in MARC21 and USMARC); it is incomplete (I know it is missing things, and hopefully I will add to it over time). I also don’t love this timeline format, but I decided to use this simple but unlovely WordPress plugin until I find something better.

I’d love feedback, suggestions, criticism, etc. Tell me what I’ve forgotten, point me to other sources, correct me on things I got wrong! But in the meantime, please enjoy the history of our goofy but lovable data format.

Color code: blue is general policy and history; green is bibliographic format; red is all other formats; yellow is format integration.

CLR report on automation at Library of Congress

1963

MARC Pilot Project (MARC I)

1965-1968

MARC II introduced at ALA

1967-07

LC releases specification for MARC II

1967-08

MARC II operational

1969-03

Serials and maps formats released

1970

Film format released

1971

Original manuscript and music formats released

1973

MARBI takes on role of MARC Advisory Committee

1973

MARC Authorities Format published

1976

Review based on publication of AACR2

1978-1979

Bibliographic formats published together as MARC Format for Bibliographic Data (MFBD)

Each field had “validity designators” for different forms of material.